Evaluation of Therapeutic Outcomes

Outcome or efficacy therapy of SLE was measured using the LLDAS tools which were assessed by clinician to monitor the progress of the patient’s condition according to the therapy administered. LLDAS was developed and validated by the Asia-Pacific Lupus Collaboration and has been widely used in daily practice as the basis for the treat-to-target.^37–39 The LLDAS definition suggests a better predictor of patient outcomes including assessment of disease activity and treatment safety.⁴⁰ LLDAS is attained if all of the following is exhibited by the patient: 1) SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score of ≤4, with no activity in organ systems such as the renal, central nervous, and cardiopulmonary system and absence of vasculitis, fever, hemolytic anemia, or gastrointestinal derangements; 2) there are no new features of lupus disease activity compared to previous assessments; 3) physician assessment of global activity score (0–3) ≤1; 4) current prednisolone equivalent dose ≤ 7.5 mg/day; and 5) standard maintenance doses of approved immunosuppressive drugs and biologics are permitted.⁴¹